Director of Development, Major Gifts, Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world‑changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high‑quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals. Alumni Affairs and Development is a dedicated team supporting Harvard’s advancement activity through front‑line fundraising, alumni and volunteer engagement, technology, prospect management and research, business process, events, communications, and many other areas.

Our goal is to create an environment of respect that leverages the many talents, perspectives, and experiences of our employees; to deliver the strongest possible results by incorporating diverse perspectives into our daily work; and to make AA&D a great place to work for everyone. We strive to live our values of respect, inclusion, trust, collaboration, continuous improvement and innovation;

and open communication and effective information sharing in our daily interactions and our work. AA&D is comprised of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Development, Advancement Communications, Events & Donor Relations (ACEDR), University Development and Advancement Solutions (UDAS), the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and Office of Talent, Administration and Policy (OTAP).

The Director is a full‑time exempt position on the Faculty of Arts (FAS) and Sciences Major Gifts team, reporting to the Senior Executive Director of Development. The Director leads, mentors, and manages a team of gift officers in the Growth Markets and is responsible for determining overall strategy for the regions along with internal and external execution of an engagement plan.

The Director coordinates a portfolio of internal leadership activities such as staff training, fundraiser goal setting, review of regional prospect assignments, strategic planning, donor engagement strategy, and other activities as assigned. The role informs decision making, carries out policies and strategies, and models best practices as a leader, fundraiser, and colleague. The Director’s experience and knowledge are critical in expanding the ability of fundraisers to form creative strategy development as they combine the FAS’ priority needs with donor interests and desire to make an impact.

The position requires securing gifts in the range of $500K – $24.9M and developing an annual regional plan that expands philanthropic support across the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

• In consultation with the Senior Executive Director, create, socialize, and finalize the annual strategic plan for the assigned regions.
  • Creation of concise written plan including yearly analysis of activity.
  • Execution of meeting series to convene fundraisers and key organizational partners.
  • Focus on strategy for top prospects in the regions and serve as decision maker in developing prospect pipelines for travel, engagement plan for leadership and faculty, and ensuring solicitation plan.
  • Communicate and strategize regularly with key partners including Principal Gifts, Programs and Events, Priorities and Proposals, Stewardship and Donor Engagement, the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA), and the Harvard College Fund to ensure collaboration that leads to results.
• Effectively leverage relationship with Principal Gift Officer who will be acting as a consultant in the regions. Serve as the final decision maker in all planning matters.
• Collaborate with colleagues in Research and Prospect Management to determine appropriate portfolios for direct reports and appropriate prospect transitions between Leadership Giving and Major…